by USA TODAY Sports, USATODAY

by USA TODAY Sports, USATODAY

An offseason marred by questionable behavior and uncertainty about his eligibility hasn't stopped Johnny Manziel from entering the season as the leader in USA TODAY Sports' Heisman Watch.

The Texas A&M quarterback is bidding to become the second player to capture two Heismans in his college career after making history last season as the first freshman winner of the award.

Although Manziel is the only Heisman finalist returning this fall, he looks to have significant competition as evidenced by the voting of writers and editors at USA TODAY Sports.

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, who led the Buckeyes to an unbeaten record in 2012, was second in the voting, followed closely by Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron and South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

McCarron actually grabbed one more first-place vote than Manziel, and three others received first-place votes, showing that the race is wide open with 3½ months to go before the award is handed out in New York.

The Heisman Watch is released weekly during the season. The voting is done by a panel of 10 writers and editors from USA TODAY Sports. Points are tabulated on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis.